An Encylopedia Britannica Company

string

1 string /ˈstrɪŋ/ noun
plural strings
1 string
/ˈstrɪŋ/
noun
plural strings
Britannica Dictionary definition of STRING
: a long, thin piece of twisted thread that you use to attach things, tie things together, or hang things
[count]
[noncount]
see also apron string, drawstring, g-string, shoestring
[count] : a group of objects that are connected with a string, wire, chain, etc. + of
[count]
: a series of similar things + of
: a series of events which follow each other in time + of
technical : a group of letters, words, or numbers which is treated as a single unit in a computer program
[count] : a long, thin piece of tightly stretched wire or other material (such as nylon) that is used to produce sounds in a musical instrument (such as a violin or piano) see also the strings (below)
[noncount] chiefly US : a group of players on a team that play together because they have similar abilities
see also first-string, second-string
strings [plural] : requirements that are connected with something : things that you have to do, give, etc., if you accept something (such as a gift or an offer)
[count] : a long, thin piece of nylon or other material that is stretched tightly across a tennis racket or similar object

have more than one string to your bow

British
: to have more than one idea, skill, plan, etc., that you can use if it is needed

have (someone) on a string

informal
: to be able to make (someone) do anything you want

how long is a piece of string

British, informal
used as a reply to a question when the answer is not known

pull strings

: to use the influence that you have with important people to get or achieve something

pull the strings

: to control someone or something often in a secret way

purse strings

see 1purse

the strings

or the string section
: the instruments of an orchestra (such as the cello, violin, or piano) that have strings or the musicians who play them
2 string /ˈstrɪŋ/ verb
strings; strung /ˈstrʌŋ/ ; stringing
2 string
/ˈstrɪŋ/
verb
strings; strung /ˈstrʌŋ/ ; stringing
Britannica Dictionary definition of STRING
[+ object]
: to put (things) together on a string, thread, chain, etc.
: to place or hang (things) in a line or series
: to tie, hang, or fasten (something) with string
: to attach strings to (something, such as a musical instrument or tennis racket)

string along

[phrasal verb]
string (someone) along : to continue to deceive or trick (someone) for a long time
string along with (someone or something) British, informal : to go with or follow (someone or something)

string out

[phrasal verb]
string (something) out or string out (something)
: to make (something) take longer than it should
see also strung out

string together

[phrasal verb]
string (something) together or string together (something)
: to combine (different things) into something that is complete, useful, etc.
: to create (something) by putting different things together

string up

[phrasal verb]
string (someone) up or string up (someone) informal
: to hang (someone) by the neck : to kill (someone) by hanging